Attributes of Love by MOPS InternationalSample

Love is Kind

Love is kind. It sounds so simple.

The Greek word for “kind” is chrēsteuomai, which means “useful.” Kindness strives to show love through being helpful in practical ways. Jesus extended kindness that was considered radical for that time and culture. He offered kindness to the people most didn’t treat well, including the sick, poor and socially outcast. Our world may look different now, but the truth is some things never change. We still live in a world where distraction, personal opinions and human selfishness complicate the phrase “love is kind.”

One day, in the hustle of my mom life, we were in the car (of course) and trying to get to the next sports practice. From the back seat my kids said, “Look, there is a homeless neighbor. Can we go get him something to eat?” Our day already felt out of control and chaotic, and we were constantly running late. My first selfish instinct was to say, “No, we don’t have time.”

But I was reminded of what Colossians 3:12 says: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience(NIV).This verse creates an image for us: Everybody sees our clothes, so when we are commanded to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility and gentleness, that means people should be able to see those things in our lives.

Jesus loved in action. Being kind is actionable - so as I sat there in the car, stopped at a light, listening to my children’s kind question, I looked down at my clothing and remembered to put the love of Jesus into action in a kind, practical, useful way. I said yes, and we pulled through a drive-through and offered food to our homeless neighbor.

Consider this:

Remember, each day when you wake up and clothe yourself, you are preparing to step out onto the mission field. Don’t allow the distractions of this world to become a barrier to loving in ways that are kind, useful, practical and visible—just like the shirt on your back.